[Report of the work at a psychiatric transitional home (declared as a model centre in the Rheinland (author's transl)]

The complete vocational and social re-integration of the psychiatrically disabled (schizophrenic type) is only possible to a certain degree, even after a temporary stay of approximately one year at a transitional home for the psychiatrically disabled where comprehensive therapeutic measures are provided. This is shown by the experiences gained during a three-year period of work with a study sample of 190 persons at the socio-psychiatric rehabilitation centre "Bodelschwinghaus" in Neuss, Federal Republic of Germany. A partial rehabilitation i.e., the ability to live in a community home and work in a workshop for the disabled was more successful. As a rule, the psychiatrically disabled need a long time in an encouraging and sheltered living situation which, nevertheless, must be open to the social environment, to obtain, in some cases, the degree of stabilisation necessary to one day lead an independent life. Accelerated measures structured according to economical and financial principles do not meet the needs of the psychiatrically disabled. This is why a rigorous separation between transitional and permanent homes is not appropriate in psychiatric rehabilitation.

Assessing community attitudes toward mentally retarded persons

Although many researchers have found evidence of discrimination toward retarded individuals in employment, education, and housing, attitude-survey researchers generally report acceptance of retarded people in the community (Gallup, 1976; Gottwald, 1967). To examine this discrepancy, we compared responses on a survey concerning retarded people of a "threat" group, who lived near a house for sale that was described as "having the necessary characteristics" for a potential group home, and a "nonthreat" control group. Analysis between and across groups yielded differences that have implications for public education efforts and the validity of the survey method for research on mental retardation.

Delivery of essential services to alcoholics through the "continuum of care"

To provide for the delivery of essential and comprehensive services for alcoholics, a well-developed continuum of care encompasses the following services: an information and referral, or diagnostic, center; detoxification or receiving center; primary rehabilitation; extended rehabilitation; residential intermediate care; outpatient care; a family program; and an after-care program. All of these services are geared toward the ultimate goal of assisting the alcoholic to live independently in the community and to utilize a variety of positive coping devices while remaining abstinent from beverage alcohol.

Research on the psychosocial treatment of schizophrenia: a summary report

The authors present an overview of research on psychosocial treatments for schizophrenia. Findings from studies of five therapeutic approaches--individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, family therapy, milieu therapy, and community support systems--are discussed in detail. The usefulness of each type of therapy is critically assessed on the basis of available data from controlled outcome studies. The authors make recommendations regarding high-priority areas to be addressed in future studies of psychosocial treatment.

Pretreatment roles and therapeutic environment as correlates of in-treatment client "success": the case of the nonopiate user

This study examined the effect of pretreatment role-involvements and therapeutic environment on the levels of in-treatment success for a sample of 704 nonopiate users. Within this sample, treatment type was found to be of little consequence in predicting success on selected measures of performance. The results of the analysis are interpreted as a function of theoretical difficulties in the paradigm that is used to organize the treatment effort.

The detoxication alternative to the handling of public inebriates. The Ontario experience

A review of the Ontario experience in the development of a public health alternative to the handling of public inebriates has revealed some difficulties inherent in this approach to reform.

A follow-up study of male halfway-house residents and matched nonresident controls

Men in a halfway-house sample had more detoxication readmissions but fewer drunkenness arrests in a 3-month follow-up period than did their matched controls; the total number of documented drunkenness episodes did not differ in the two groups.